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Additionally, the state proposes the foreign flagged cruise ships would have to register with the state; pay Alaska corporate income taxes; pay 1/3rd of their gambling income to the state. On top of that the cruise lines would have to comply with all state anit-pollution laws. It looks like they are trying "Bite the hand that feed them."
Of course all of the above is proposed and will have to be passed, first!
I love Alaska.. and I am very pro cruising... but I would have to agree with the state legislature.
Yes cruisers spend money on land...and add significantly to the income of the ports. However, what many people don't realize is that the cost of building and operating the infrastructure to take care of these tourists is phenomenal!! I experience exactly the same here in my little city... another tourist mecca!!!
We've seen such an increase in the numbers of cruiseships to Alaska.... rates have been falling...to the point of resembling Caribbean rates. Alaska just does not want to become another mass-market. It's eco-system just can't handle it. You would be surprised in the changes in wildlife viewings over the past 20 years. It sure isn't what it used to be.
If I choose to cruise Alaska again (which I wouldn't because I want to remember my journeys up there.. the way it used to be), I would gladly pay the $75.00 head tax.
However, making foreign ships pay Alaska Corporate Tax and taking 1/3 of the casino take off the top will be non-starters for the cruise lines.
Have you seen Holland America's next ads?"Tour the scenic Fjords of Norway", Or Princess cruises new"Visit Iceland (Greenland) the Artic Wonderland, and best of all you sail directly from New York or Boston - no long uncomfortable flight to the West Coast"
[This message has been edited by WJCdiver (edited 03-25-2001).]
quote:Originally posted by WJCdiver:However, making foreign ships pay Alaska Corporate Tax and taking 1/3 of the casino take off the top will be non-starters for the cruise lines.Have you seen Holland America's next ads?"Tour the scenic Fjords of Norway", Or Princess cruises new"Visit Iceland (Greenland) the Artic Wonderland, and best of all you sail directly from New York or Boston - no long uncomfortable flight to the West Coast"
WJC Diver
I pay taxes in every country I do business in. Why shouldn't the rich cruise lines pay their fair share.
Why should they crap up the place on the Alaskan citizen's tab.
The Alaskan crusier as well as the New England/Canada cruiser is a different demographic than the Carribean cruiser.
Alaska has a delicate ecosystem and many of the ports are not set up for 3000 tourists at one clip littering their Starbucks cups and McDonald's wrappers.
RCCL was fined big time for discharging black water near Alaska and RCCL executives are lobbying to allow gray water discharges into Alaskan waters. Greed is good?
Your Greenland and Norway argument is preposturous since Norway, Iceland, and Denmark are 3 of the highest taxed countries in the world.Cruise ships would not escape that.I have sailed the Norwegian Coast, the typical balconied cruise barge would not get thru many of the places. I love Scandanavia but the high cost of everything makes it in infrequent trip.
I would love to cruise Alaska, then take a land trip. However I do not want to see it turned into what I am trying to get away from. Alaska should be ruined so some cruise line executives can build a swimming pool for their horses?
Desirod6
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